Bonaire Talk, a wonderful thing. Yet, as I have read thread after
thread, I wonder what matter is this gossip. I detect smiles, some
love and often anger. I have tiptoed through your pages and closed the
net in wonderment.

I have met some moderators and even kissed a few. However, with this
new intended thread I reach out to you with maximum seriousness, my
humor and casual conversation to be non-existent.

I consider you my clan, and I come to you to plead for the life of what
is the foundation of Bonaire Talk and mij island.

This month I turn eighty-three. Last month I began my 47th year on
Bonaire. The month before in March I received the Beneath The Sea
Pioneer award which was my 52nd award for many things, basically all
recognizing my crusade to preserve a sustainable environment as the
foundation for tourism development.

The awards clutter my walls, Habitat's lobby, and even the airport
departure hall. Yet I feel them all for nought as I have failed in my
striving to protect the very basic existence of this island - the love
for the very reefs which brought you here - which are perishing.

On April 25th the Lt. Governor, representing the Queen of Holland,
awarded me the title of Knight (Dutch: Ridder) within the Order of
Oranje Nassau, a military and civil order of merit created in 1892. The
highest award possible from the Queen, this recognition has made me
a Knight. A Sir. This startlingly beautiful medal is an enamel-bordered
silver Maltese Cross which proclaims the national motto: (French: "Je
Maintiendrai") (English: "I will stand fast) (Dutch: Ik zal
handhaven"). I WILL STAND FAST.

My ideals and my convictions compel me to fight to do just that - stand
fast -to protect the Lord's wondrous trust to conserve Nature's gold
that had been shown to me so long ago on that afternoon of May 21 1962.

I have shared this wonder with you, my brethren, and feel it in some
part requires your sharing this responsibility, through your reaching
out love, to shoulder with me this effort to stop the willful leaching
of raw sewerage from the numerous beachfront properties into the sea.

God made it so that all creatures, regardless of size, shape, or life
expectancy shall eat, propagate, and defecate. It is all a matter of
nature, and thus the solution will be found here.

I am calling in the clan.

Captain Don

FYI The clan that I speak of is you and half a thousand other Bonaire
patriots who will not go down without protesting the impotency
and apathy of those controlling the future of our reefs.

This is a promise: I will stand firm.

Captain Don

The typo in the thread title is totally due to my water soaked fingers, and not Dons. Oops!

Captain we are your brethren, no doubt. You can count on us to continue the fight. The oceans will come back either with our help or after we are gone, one way or the other it will be as it always was. Lets just hope that it is sooner and not later.

I'm proud to stand aside you Captain Don.

Captain Don,
Count my family in "the Clan".
You have inspired my daughter, Megan, to study Marine Science and she will attend University of Hawaii-Hilo starting in August. You're also the reason she won't eat anything from the sea. She's quotes you on that!!

We missed you in March and April this year. Seems you were off traveling receiving some awards!
Happy Birthday!

Joe and I are with ye', too. We are active in the discussions & hopeful (soon) implementation/construction of the waste water treatment plant on Bonaire and the improvements to be made to the landfill, etc. Joe is an operator at a plant here in NJ and we hope he will be able to help with the plant on Bonaire, some day in the future. Strength in numbers. United we stand! Carole

I am with you all too, as this is a major concern for us owning property on island. We hope to have our grandchildren and their children enjoy all Mother Ocean has to offer and fear that action needs to start now, not 5 years from now.

Capt. Don..We thank you for all your contributions to the well being of Bonaire & also for the insight & education you are providing on your various threads which you have recently posted. I truly believe that the biggest threat to Bonaire at the moment is the inadequate waste water treatment.

Captain Don, First thank you for your stories, knowledge and years of service to Bonaire and its waters.
We will be glad to help in this cause as we feel it effects everything else in the world. Please let us know what we can do to help, we will be on the island in September and hope to see you then.

I believe that many fully support the cause in our hearts. So I ask for suggestions on how we can actively participate in the fight?

Captain Don - we hear your call. My wife Sue is half Welsh (Celtic), and I have close blood ties to the Scottish families MacNee and Robinson.

One of the reasons that we stay at Habitat Bonaire is that they have their own waste water treatment system and Magaret and her team diligently recycle the water as they irrigate the wonderful plants at the resort. I know you were the inspiration for this.

We also worry about the reef and oceans, particularly our impact on the undersea environment; we try to act as ambassadors of the reef to other divers. We always try to report serious abuse of the rules by divers and other users of the ocean.

We are also committed to reducing our use of plastic bags, which can (with frequently fatal results) be mistaken for jelly fish by turtles (and other packaging - particularly plastic cartons and nets) having seen the dreadful toll they take on both the marine environment and all wildlife.

We will also stand firm in the fight to save the reef and oceans.

Dear Captain Don,
You may count me in as well..we will do what is necessary to save the reefs and the land we all love so much..

Dear Captain Don - we too hear your call and you can count us in as well.

I loved finally meeting you in person and really enjoyed our conversation. My husband and I pledge to help as well.

please advise us on how we can either contribute to an organization that is perserving Bonaire's environment and/or focused on this waste water issue. What can we could do to stand tall with our dear friend.
Ruth Dodge
David Dodge
Tilly Dodge

please advise us on how we can either contribute to an organization that is preserving Bonaire's environment and/or focused on this waste water issue. What can we could do to stand tall with our dear friend.
Ruth Dodge
David Dodge
Tilly Dodge

My husband and I have worked as dive professionals in the Mediterranean Sea, the Red Sea and now the Caribbean Sea, for about 12 years. We always chose the dive centers who actively advertised reef awareness and environmental friendly practises. And we see that still a lot of ignorance is present in visitors (yes, sadly also divers) but also in locals. We have and will continue to actively practise and advertise the care our environment needs so badly. We also want our son to see and experience the wonders of Mother Nature in the "flesh" and not behind a glass window or in a picture book.
So, yes, you can count us in.

captain don
just sent off a note to sara matera at divi flamingo. will let u know if i get an answer. i'm with u also.
es

Hi, Elaine!

I'm still waiting to hear from Sara, myself. I guess she's away or waiting for Corporate to provide input for the responses?? Hmmm.

Sara has done wonders for the Divi and she only recently arrived within the past couple of years so she is not the person who implemented whatever system they now have in place but maybe she would be able to answer our questions regarding the waste waters.

I know the sink water and possibly the shower water goes outside and keeps the hedges by the back doors of the studio units watered. Not certain at all about the toilet flushes, however. cb

Dealing with human is primarily an issue of political will, certainly not technology, but there are some economic implications. It’s tough for any resort to embark on a waste treatment program. Doing so on a small scale is uneconomic, would add to the cost of operating the resort, rendering them unable to compete on price. Furthermore, it really isn’t easy for we tourists to determine who does and who does not do an adequate job of water treatment. When we ask, the resorts that fail to treat are likely to lie to us.

So, how does Bonaire make this work? First, take the major impediment, price competitiveness out of the equation. The government can impose a tax on us tourists that will cover the costs. It’s then much easier to require participation. In the future, accommodations outside the central core could be required to cover connection costs as part of the permitting process.

Obviously the resorts can’t be the tax collectors. Many of the condos and private homes cheat already, this would only exaggerate the problem. We could be required to pay when we arrive or, increase the exit tax. Charge each of us a $10 per day sewerage tax. Charge the cruise ships the same fee.

So we add $140 per person per week to the cost of diving Bonaire. A very few might go to another island instead, but not many. Bonaire is relatively cheap right now. I'd bet most of us would be fine with doubling that tax to $20 daily.

It just takes political will. Certainly the local population of Bonaire will be the better for it.


(Message edited by thom on June 30, 2008)

Hi, everyone.

I received a nice response from Sara at the Divi with regard to their waste practices. Here is some of what Sara wrote:

"Divi Flamingo has a fully operational septic tank system whereby the organic waste is reduced to simple components, which we then pump out weekly and it is transported to the landfill.

We spend over $2,000 per month currently in pumping out our sewage. This system is island wide.

In the near future the island sewage system will be in place with a hook up to the piping transport. Local people and companies will be absorbing all future costs.

We are all working on improving this system for the better of our reefs and Bonaire."

I hope she does not mind my sharing her response to my inquires.

Has anyone else heard from the resorts/establishments they have contacted?? Ayo. Carole

"hooked up to a piping transport"...but it is still going to be dumped in the same place?

Thom, So the way I understand this, the Tourists will shoulder the burden with a separate tax, to fund a central sewage treatment facilty. Do you not think that the resorts wouldn't pass the cost along to the tourists. Should the tourists have to pay double? Do you not think that these Million $ plus homes who will have to tie in won't pass the costs along. The Government of Bonaire will be requiring a mandatory hookup for certain areas. This is to include ( not sure, someone who has the correct info, please post) all waterfront from the Light House beach area all the way down thru Hato.

Jan, you are close to correct.

The difficulty in getting people to hook up is the cost. Everyone fights additional cost. Politically it's tough to do because everyone sees the cost coming out of their own pockets.

In reality, Bonaire is supported by tourism as are many other islands. The tourists will pay. The way I suggests makes the entire system politically palatable. People see it as someone else is paying.

The other reality is that we tourists pay for it not being done. The reefs are degraded, the water is less clear, there is less sea life. Everything we are paying to see is degraded.

Currently it costs about $2000 for a one week trip per person (air fare, resort, meals, vehicle, etc.) If the water and reefs are degraded by 20% (reality is probably much higher than that) we lost 20% of what we came to see, or $400 worth.

The way people normally think is everyone on the island pays their fair share. That increases the cost of living on the island, people get paid more to stay, resorts charge more, we pay more. This way leaves lots of room for fraud. Currently there is a lot of fraud with the bed tax. If we just paid an additional departure tax based on our days on island, the system would be more efficient, less fraud, and would be politically doable.

That's my position anyway and I'm sticking to it.

thanks carol b. i haven't received a reply yet but i could have used the wrong e-mail. i'm glad she was honest about it.
es

Ok, So you suggest that, I as a property owner, who will have to pay to be connected to the new treatment plant,I will also have to pay an extra tax as well. With increases of everything at home & abroad taking a larger chunk out of your wallet, airfare increases, and increases in hotel costs,food costs are you & others really willing to pay another another 500-600 per person to come to Boanire and see less sea life in water that has less visabilty? And considering even this past winter with airfares at $800 plus PP, I am interested to know where you stayed and payed $1200 for the week including 3 meals a day,diving and rental car.

I would also be careful on making such a general statement as you have regarding fraud.

hi all
received an answer from sara matera at the divi. she told me the same thing she wrote to carol b. and thanked me as a tourist for being concerned.
es

Interesting..

I should add: I would be interested to hear about eutrophication on Bonaire.. any input there? Indeed, a worldwide phenomenon...

Jan, yes you will pay the extra tax if you are not a legal resident. But why not? Why would you object to paying to deal with your own waste?

There are multiple costs, the hookup of your house to the sewer pipe is a very minor part of the system. The waste treatment plant and the associated sewer system cost a lot.

If not for us "Visitors" there would be little need for a waste treatment system. The local population would be quite small and the earth could deal with that amount of waste just fine. It is we visitors that create the burden, we can pay for it.

I stay at Buddys, AA airfare is a little over $600, but so what? What it cost me to get to Bonaire and have fun in Bonaire isn't the issue. The issue is, I and other visitors should be willing to pay to remediate the environmental degradation associated with our visits.

I disagree with you. I do not feel that it is up to the tourism industry to shoulder the cost of something that should be paid by those who will need to use it. If I am paying for hookup and water/sewer (as others that own property and are not residents), why should we have to pay twice. The approx cost to hookup to a system, that was proposed in the town that I live in was over $22,000. The voters turned it down. So I do not understand how you can say, that hookup is very minor.
Do you think, that the large and small hotels, as well as independents will not pass on the costs associated with the new system?
If the Bonaire Government decided to charge every tourist (as you so suggest) $20 per person per night. A couple who spends a week would have to pay an additional $280. You are already paying $5.50 to $6.50 per day per person(never mind the departure tax). That comes to over $370 in taxes!!! Double that to $740 for 2 weeks. maybe you can shell out the additional $$, but there are many that can not. The tourism industry would suffer. And the end result, Bonaire's economy for suffer. would suffer.

I for one, would not be willing to be charged double.

You also mention that "If not for us visitors, there would be no need for a waste treatment system". Considering that on a given week, approx 2,000 tourists are staying in hotels, etc and there are approx 12-14,000 year round residents, who is contributing more to the problem. Many of the resorts have a systems in place. I know that the system HOR has was designed by Captain Don. Does it need to be pumped out, yes, the solids do need to be removed occasionaly. How many private homeowners sewerage is leaching into the waters?
Bonaire should refuse to pump out the cruise ships that dock there. If the Freewinds never comes to Boanire again, who would lose.

Also, Maybe you should start a thread regaring all the automobiles on island that are polluting the air and waters. How many of them, are inspected for safety or pollution. How about the gas stations on island. Are their tanks built in a way that they will not leach into the water. Should the visitors have to pay for someone who drives a car, that is polluting the air and water?

How much does the leaching of the landfill add to the pollution of the waters? Or how about all the removal and crushing of coral and stone, on the east coast.

The polluting issues are more than just sewer.

One of the main problems comes down to subscription.

Example. WEB who provides electricity & water to the island needs the whole of the island to purchase it's water and electricity of them to make their business viable which of course gives them a monopoly.

WEB is owned by the Government so is all powerful. When some people on the island wanted to use Solar to complement their supply from WEB, they were told (unofficially of course) "You use WEB of solar, not both" which of course meant that WEB was willing to cut supplies to those who wanted to save money and be environmentally friendly.

On an island with the population of Bonaire (many of which are living on the poverty line) it is not financially viable to be environmentally friendly. The new system will cost a lot to operate and will have to be paid for. Where that money is going to come from seems to be somewhat vague.

Jan, I'm going to start again. Try to follow this. You are not understanding my position.

Bonaire is supported by tourists. Though it is true that there are more locals than tourists, it is the tourism industry that supports them. Almost everyone on the Island either directly or indirectly is supported by tourism. Without tourism, the local population would be much much smaller. The island of Bonaiire lacks the the natural resources to support very many people, without tourism.

Your claim that "the voters turned it down" is exactly the point. Their decision was an economic one. It was not about should, it was clearly about money.

And money is the conundrum. Everyone wants to maximize his own financial condition but in doing so damages everyones financial condition, including his own. What will the island of Bonaire be worth when the reefs are gone? Who will visit? What will support even a small local population?

Clearly you don't want to pay. The resorts don't want to pay. No one seems willing to say "I will pay for dealing with my own waste" The current policy of not dealing with it just pushes that payment off to future generations. It will be paid, just not by the people who caused the damage.

The current dynamic doesn't work. Residents don't want to pay more, probably many can't. Out of country resort owners care for little more than their bottom line. Local business and resort owners are concerned with increasing costs/prices making them uncompetitive. This problem will not be solved without a substantial amount of money. As long as there is an economic incentive to cheat, people will cheat. As long as there is a cost to dump at the town dump, people will use illegal dumps. Human nature is beyond fixing.

The issue becomes not what should be done, but how to finance it. It cannot be financed merely by charging businesses because many will cheat. Furthermore, that would put the resorts at a disadvantage to homes and rental homes who would not pay their own way. It can't be financed by the residents because they will vote not to spend their own money. It can by financed by us visitors. If my trip costs me an additional $10 or $20 per person per night, I'll pay it. I may not like it but I'll pay it because I want to visit the reefs of Bonaire.

Once the proposal is to charge the visitors, the voters are far more likely to get on board.

Grand Cayman does it with a 100% import duty on almost everything. Bonaire could do that. They could charge a daily stay tax. They need to do it in a way that minimizes the potential to cheat and is as broad as possible. Locals don't appear to have much to start with. I doubt their incomes could support much. With substantial environmental taxes and no offsetting raises, many would choose to leave, resorts and restaurants and shops would pay more and would charge more to offset the costs. The result is we visitors would pay. If this is going to get fixed (I'm a proponent) it's we visitors who will pick up the bill.

This probably will affect the number of tourists visiting. Maybe that new big resort won't need building, so what. The resorts already provide more jobs than the local population can provide. The island is full of import labor already. Maybe Mariot(?) won't make that additional $million. That really won't break many hearts.

The rest of your stuff you list is just a canard. Dealing with sewage does not preclude dealing with the rest of the stuff. Insisting on dealing with everything or dealing with nothing is an environmental catastrophe.

And yes, the freewinds should pay their own way. They may already, I don't know.

Ok, Thom... Let me say YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND
(yes I am yelling). Get off of your high soap box... and read my lips... If there is an additional tax to the tourist way above and beyond what they are taxed now ( as you are suggesting)... They will not come. The middle class home owners who are not residents will pull out of Bonaire. So considering Bonaire's financial future is based upon Tourism... what will happen when the tourists do not come. Grand Cayman has far more tourists who go there compared to Bonaire.
And don't put words in my mouth, as I did not write that we need to deal with all or nothing. I was simply stating a fact. That there is much more out there that is polluting the environment besides the leaching or direct dumping of sewage into the waters. So should we pay additional $$ for that too? Also, I have read that Holland does plan, or already has allocated quite a bit of $$$ to build the infrastructure.
There is no need to place an additional tax on the tourist, as they will pay for it in the increase of room rates, food, car rentals etc. I do not believe that this will be voted on. It will happen,with or without the support of the locals.
You also keep metioning how people are cheating the government. Please back up your past statements with actual facts.

And as far as the resorts providing more jobs than the local population can fill, maybe you need glasses or something. I have noticed that you are a new to Bonaire Talk. May I ask, how many times have you been to Bonaire?


Antony, Yes you are correct regarding the Web and their Monopoly. I understand that has rewcently changed. And those with Solar or Wind power will be able to use the Web for backup. They can not however have their meters turned to run backwards. Yes you are also corerect regarding affordabilty. But for right now, my understanding of the initial plan is for waterfront properties or within a certain distance to the water. I do not believe that this will effect most of the residents you mentioned. Maybe in the distant future, but not at this time.

And for Captain Don, Thanks for opening up a Pandora's box( in more than 1 topic area). You need to understand, that yes we as tourists, and owners of cottages, condos' etc, do have a viable interest in what happens to Bonaire's fragile ego system. After all many of us have been coming for years, and fell in love with an island, that we invested in her. However we have no vote!!!!!!! We have no say!!!!!!! We are listened to by very polite people nodding their heads.They tell us what we want to hear. Instead of starting many different topics about the same things, Why not tell us what we can do. You already have the answer to your question, where is your Poop going! So tell us!!!

I think I understand you perfectly Jan. I think you believe cleaning up the environment is important, if someone else is paying for it.

You believe that if prices are high enough for visitors to pay for cleaning up their own waste they will quit coming. You may be right but I doubt it.

It's certainly true that Grand Cayman has far more tourists. I'm not certain that's a benefit. They were my vacation spot of choice until the mid 90's when they got to crowded for my tastes. In any event, they charge visitors a lot more. Everything is more expensive. It doesn't seem to keep people away.

As for visiting Bonaire, I've visited fewer times than many here. 1 week in 2001, 1week in 2002, 2.5 weeks in 2003, 2.5 weeks in 2004, 2.5 weeks in 2005, 2 weeks in 2006, 2 weeks in 2007, and I'll be back in September of 2008 for 16 days.

It surprises me that I, expressing a personal opinion in a chat room, would make you angry. I believe I should pay to clean up after myself, and those I employ (the tourist industry) and I'm willing to pay for that. You believe the Netherlands should pay to clean up after you. We each have a right to express our opinions.

Again, The tourists will pay for the costs assosiated with the construction,hookups, & discharge for sewer. This will be incorporated into the room rates, food costs, buying gifts etc. There is no need to add a tax. There is no need for the tourist to pay twice.

With an approx 20-30% increase of energy costs at home, cancelations, new schedules,higher ticket prices and fees for flights there will be many that will find it difficult to travel in 2009. The tourism industry in the US has already seen a decrease.

I also wasn't aware that you employ those that work within the tourist industry.

As for employing those that work in the tourist industry, assuming they are not employed by tourists is short sighted. Of course I employ them.

Jan, I build homes for a living, at least I did until I retired last fall. Who do you think pays for the carpenters that build the house? I do of course but then I pass that cost on to the homebuyer. The cost of that carpenter includes what he needs to cover the cost of the disposal of his own waste along with all his other expenses.

Where I live and build (Albuquerque), infrastructure is relatively easy and cheap. We're digging in sand, we have plenty of slope for our sewer system, and readily available materials. Still, it costs us about $30,000 per house. Infrastructure in Bonaire is expensive. The sewer system is problematic. Excavation through rock, a pressurized system instead of a gravity system, and everything is delivered on a boat. $20,000 per unit does not sound unreasonable at all.

Hotels are much much cheaper than single family residences. The usage is concentrated in a small area.

You seem to be saying that the infrastructure is being built and paid for already. Captain Don seems to be saying that isn't so. If it is happening why did you say your association voted it down? And finally, how does the increasing cost of air fare negate my responsibility to deal with my personal waste and the waste of those I employ?

Thom,
Where in this sentence did I write that the infrastructure is being built & is paid for?
“Also, I have read that Holland does plan, or already has allocated quite a bit of $$$ to build the infrastructure.”

Where in this sentence did I write that my association voted it down?
“The approx cost to hookup to a system, that was proposed in the town that I live in was over $22,000. The voters turned it down. So I do not understand how you can say, that hookup is very minor.”

Thom’s quote: “And finally, how does the increasing cost of air fare negate my responsibility to deal with my personal waste and the waste of those I employ?” I do not believe I wrote anything regarding your statement above. If you are so responsible, may I suggest on your next visit, bag it, and bring it home! I also feel that you have a very strange view on what or whom an employee is.

Jan, One at a time

"Where in this sentence did I write that the infrastructure is being built & is paid for?
Also, I have read that Holland does plan, or already has allocated quite a bit of $$$ to build the infrastructure."

^ If it’s true that Holland has allocated the $, someone would have developed a plan and estimated the cost. So you answered your own question.

"Where in this sentence did I write that my association voted it down?
“The approx cost to hookup to a system, that was proposed in the town that I live in was over $22,000. The voters turned it down. So I do not understand how you can say, that hookup is very minor.” "

^ ApParently Holland isn’t paying for it. Apparently the residents aren’t either. Here in the states anyway hookups are considered the connection of the house to the sewer in the street. That will not cost $22,000. Sometimes there are connection fees that include some or all of that owners part of the system it’s being connected to. If one owners part of the entire system is $22,000, that is still a relatively cheap price for a good system considering the costs of installing a sewer and waste treatment system in Bonaire.

So, put those two parts together. Why would you be voting whether or not to pay for the installation of a sewer system if Holland was paying for it? I really don’t know the answer to that but here’s what I think is going on. I think the cost of the system is more than $22,000 per person and Holland is picking up part of the price. That would explain why the cost per home is only $22,000. It’s also possible that Holland has decided to subsidize locals but not out-of-country visitors.

In any event, the fact is, you said your association (Hamlet Bonaire) voted the proposal down. I read that as saying your association is unwilling to pay the costs associated with dealing with your personal waste. Maybe your association has hired a private contractor to put in a private waste treatment system. Building systems that will treat waste to drinking water quality is possible though I doubt you could get it done so inexpensively.

"Thom’s quote: “And finally, how does the increasing cost of air fare negate my responsibility to deal with my personal waste and the waste of those I employ?”

^ In this discussion you continually refer to costs of other things rising. I just picked one of them, air fare, though it could be any of the other costs. That question still stands. How does the costs of any of those other items affect your responsibility to deal with your waste. As for employees, I employ the tourist industry. In order for a local to pay the cost of connection to the system he needs more money, his employer must pay him more, and I must pay more for my hotel/car/meal/compressed air/beer/whatever.

I guess you feel a lot of things. Ignoring feelings, I am willing to pay significantly more to stay in an environmentally friendly Bonaire, your association voted not to spend the money to construct and connect to a sewer system that would protect the reefs from your own waste. I guess that says it all.

If we visitors paid a head tax of $10 per night the system could be paid for in a couple years. Use your own figure of $22,000 per house, calculating 3 persons for a year, it's paid for in two years. Because the costs for connecting to a resort are much less (the sewer system is more efficiently distributed) it would take even less time.

Like I said and your associations vote exemplified, MONEY IS THE ISSUE. You won't vote to spend your money, likely the locals won't either. The locals, the ones who vote, are much more likely to vote to spend my money than their own to build the system. So let them vote and charge me an extra $10 per night. To cover the cost of the locals houses and businesses I might need to pay for four years instead of two, maybe forever in order to deal with those other environmental issues.

As a "visitor" I have no problem in paying for my Marine park pass. I would also have no problem in paying so Bonaire/Holland can put together a plan for waste on the island. 100 dollars extra a trip is worth it.
There is no place like Bonaire.

First off THOM, I am from the states. 2nd, I never said that HOR Association voted it down. I said the voters in the town I live in, voted it down. 3rd.... The town does not have their own Sewer treatment Ctr. It needs to be built from the ground up. The $22,000 is what the cost each home owner would have to pay that would have to connect to the system. That means the homeowner not only pays to connect but also to lay the pipe that runs along the road infront of their home. What I did not mention, was on top of the $22,000, the homeowner would also have to pay to have pipes run from the connection at the road to their working septic system.

Maybe you need reading glasses, or if you do, maybe you should clean the lenses.

I not have wriiten any words saying that I would not pay for the removal of my waste. When a new Sewer plant is built on Bonaire, Yes I will pay. I will pay for pipes to run past my home. I will pay to be connected to these pipes. I will pay for my waste to flow thru these pipes and be treated at the plant. SO DON'T TELL ME THAT I WILL NOT PAY. Also I stated that I should not have to pay twice nor should anyone else. The room rates will go up to cover the costs and then some. There is no need for an additonal head tax. ( I noticed that you lowered it)

If the costs at home are going up 20-30%, then those hard working middleclass Americans will have less in their wallets for vacation. The airline industry is also making it cost prohibitive for many who have flown in the past to fly in the future. Hotel rates are also going up as well a costs to eat. I have told by many who live on Bonaire, that the costs of food have gone up. In summary, there will be many this year who will not be able to travel to Bonaire, or vacation anywhere they need to fly. It will be considered a luxury to travel that many can not afford. If Bonaire was to add an additional tax in the amount you originaly suggested, They could possibly price themselves out of Tourism. Then you can pay your employees unemployment, medical etc!!!!

One last thing... do your homework. Besides, the landfill,autos and trucks that pollute the air and water, the possible leaching of gasoline and oil into the grounds and water, nevermind how are waste is treated. Is Bonaire really environmentally friendly as you stated it is? I say except for protecting the reefs, NO Bonaire is not.

Here is some interesting articles, both of which were in the Bonaire Reporter

This article was in the Bonaire Reporter dated 1/25/08

􀁘 The Bonaire Island Government announced this week that Bonaire will get a €20 million subsidy from the European Union for the implementation of the sewage project. The Reporter detailed the plan and progress in the last edition.
According to Commissioner Anthony Nicolaas it represents the culmination of attempts extending back over 18 years to get financing committed. " I am very satisfied," he said.
"The agreement is signed and the invitation to bid can take place. The start of the project is set for at the beginning of next year."
One of the reasons for the delay was to ensure the protection of the environment. The project includes digging and installing the
sewerage lines and water treatment.
The treatment will be on the LVV site and WEB is charged with the implementation. Waste water will be converted into water suitable for irrigation at the seaside resorts. This current phase will include homes and businesses within 1/2 km of the shoreline from Hato to Punt Vierkant,with a buffer area of 500 meters. All cesspools in that area will be eliminated as well to prevent waste water reaching the sea.

And here is the 2nd Article

This article was in the Bonaire Reporter dated 1/4/08

In an exclusive end-of-theyear interview, CommissionerAnthony Nicolaas provided an update on several environmentalissues of serious importance to the ecosystems of Bonaire: the sewage plant, thesewage trenches at LVV, theLagoen landfill, waste water disposalby the cruise ship Freewindsand airplane toilet waste.

The Sewage System Plan
According to Nicolaas, the SecretaryGeneral of the European Union recently signed the Agreement to fund the sewage project, providing €20 million to constructand initiate the system.
Three million euros will also be allocated for infrastructure repair on Bonaire, mostly for roads.
The consultants hired to design the sewage system have completedtheir plans for building athree-stage sewage plant, andnow the selection of construction contractors will begin.
After theagreement is officially approvedthis January, the “tendering” of the agreement will make it possible for contractors from around the world to bid for the work as long as they uphold Europeanstandards for the environment.
Nicolaas anticipates that it will take three to six months to select the contractor.

Then in January 2009, work will begin on both the construction of the sewage plant itself and the installation of sewage pipes from Hato to Punt Vierkant for all hotels, businesses, and homes within 500 meters of the seashore. When asked why he thought after 20 years of work and numerous proposals Bonaire would finally
have sewage treatment, Nicolaas claimed, “This time it will really happen.
We have a guaranteed agreement with the European Union.
And besides I will resign if it does not go forward!” In the next year, Nicolaas will exert his energies on passing a number of laws to start protecting the coral reefs from wastewater pollution.
First, cesspits will be prohibited, and all new septic tanks must be built from impermeable concrete so wastewater does not percolate into the ground and then into the sea.
Next, all new construction will be required to place septic tanks closer to the street so they can be connected to the sewage pipes.
Finally, septic wastewater to irrigate gardens will also be outlawed. To cover operating costs of the sewage system, both businesses and homes will be required to pay a fee to connect their septic systems to the new sewage plant. Fees will be dependent on the length of pipe needed to connect the owner’s septic system to the sewer pipes in the street.
For those who will have difficulty paying the fee, Nicolaas says social services will be looking for ways to subsidize them.
Once the sewage system is operational, meters will determine how much each customer will be charged for the wastewater being discharged
into the sewage system.

Another priority for Nicolaas will be controlling leach holes atthe hotels causing seepage of nutrients into the sea and deteriorating the coral reefs.

Strategy For The Landfill Regarding the landfill at Lagoen, which is another major source of damaging nutrients and chemicals,
Nicolaas regretted that “so far there has been no progress.” He is hoping that with the help of waste management experts from Holland,
SELIBON Director Jonchi Dortalina, who, although he has studied environmental science, has no special expertise in waste management, will be able to come up with a waste management plan that will include separating waste into ecyclables, compost, etc so that damage to the environment will be minimized. Another suspect in the pollution of Lagoen Bay is the LVV sewage trenches, where all septic discharge currently goes.
Nicolaas promises that these trenches will be dredged, treated, and then processed by the new sewage plant until they no longer exist.

Cruise Ship Waste
The prickly issue of wastewaterbeing dumped on Bonaire by both the cruise ship Freewinds
Commissioner Nicolaas,Sewage from the ship Freewinds, aircraft holding tanks, homes and businesses are dumped into these trenches on the LVV tract off Lagoen Road. Can you see the oil slick in the foreground. “This time it will really happen. We have a guaranteed and airliners arriving at Flamingo airport was also addressed by Nicolaas. He intends to cooperate with environmental groups and activists on the island (i.e. Progressive Environmental
Solutions, STINAPA, Sean Peton, (producer of Forum Antilles.com, etc.) to test the fluids being expelled by the
Freewinds into the LVV sewage trenches in order to determine whether or not they are toxic. If so, Nicolaas is determined to put into motion efforts to halt the Freewinds sewage dumps on
Bonaire. The airport is not so much of a problem, contends Nicolaas, because “airlines are only dumping once in awhile in Lima or at LVV. Nicolaas admitted he is a bit worried that Bonaire fell six places in the recent National
Geographic ranking of “most pristine” islands, but he is committed as Director of the evironment to reverse that decline through initiatives like these. 􀂅

Guys, I really think it is very important that this issue is looked at from every possible angle and that everybody reads this and starts to think about this.
I would suggest to make the posts a bit shorter just to keep everybody's attention. Furthermore I would strongly advise to stick to the facts and try to be as objective as possible.
Keep in mind, it is not about right or wrong but about; "What must be done to safe what's left".
So, in stead of pointing fingers, we should determine priorities and everybody must help in any which way possible. If we do not, it may well be that our children will not have a reef to enjoy at all.
Consider this: Why do we want/have children? The most common answer is: To make sure the Homo Sapiens Sapiens continues as a species. But why bother with offspring when you do not bother with the environment your offspring has to live in????
You might as well ki..............No I refuse to go there. I belief in the principal goodness of humankind and am confident we will make our children a beautiful, healthy and abundant future :-)))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Bette, Point taken. I agree with you. But when someone starts writing in reponse to a post, and writes things that were not there, or did not read the post in it's entirety, there needs to be clarification. I posted the articles from the Bonaire Reporter, so that another poster, might understand where some of the information I posted came from. I also posted it, as not everyone on BT has the chance to read The Bonaire Reporter. I totaly support the new sewer system which is suppose to be built. I do not support paying for it twice, as highly suggested by another poster. I also support cutting down on emissions from autos and industry.

Sarah..your eutrophication post seems to have got lost in the sauce.
After further reading it seems a very likely scenerio...although I am not sure how it can be proven.
From your experience can this effect one species...say the eel?
Also...and this is a physics question..the air we breathe (underwater) whether nitrox or regular tanks...what is the off gas or the bubbles we are putting into the water...? Carbon dioxide?
I know this is a small amount but a jeopardy question between Steve and I?....
The water temperature this past week was very high...I didn't need a wet suit and that is rare for me.

Trust you, Meryl for having me put my thinking cap on this morning - LOL!

Certainly, there are tests that can be carried out to prove whether or not excess nitrates/phosphates are present. Visual signs would include: increased organic matter,biomass,blooms and changes in species composition (linked to oxygen levels in water). Any good Marine Biologist would know how to gather the data. Eutrophication typically results in reduced biodiversity.

I believe Eels are sensitive to chemical changes as they lack scales?

Your scuba bubbles will contain both oxygen and waste carbon dioxide from the lungs!! Have you considered trying a rebreather?

Hope this helps.. it's early you know ;-)